說無垢稱經疏 2.98

2.98

贊曰：此下第三威靈八部。於中有三：初明八部眾、次明釋梵等、後明會坐。此八部眾具大神用，名大威力。八部者：一天，一切天趣俱名為天。二龍，本居大海，能興雲雨。三藥叉，此名暴惡，亦名勇健，飛空而行，攝地行類諸邏剎娑。羅剎娑者，此名可畏，並食生肉血，有尾有牙，頭狀火燃，手脚有爪。四健達縛，此云尋香行，西方呼散樂名健達縛。不事生業，尋食香氣，作樂乞求，名尋香行。今此神鬼常能作樂，食諸香氣，故名健達縛。《智度論》云「是天伎神，常隨諸天。其心柔軟，福少諸天。」舉此上首，攝中有等皆在其中。五阿素洛，此云非天。《佛地論》說天趣所攝，行多諂誑，無天實行，名曰非天。如人惡行名曰非人，實是天趣。薩婆多宗說為鬼趣。《正法念經》說通鬼畜，羅睺阿修羅王，師子之兒，是畜生故。伽他經中，說天、鬼、畜三趣所攝。今依大乘，說唯天趣。本主所居，妙高山北大海之下，餘住不定。六揭路荼者，舊云金翅鳥，今云妙翅鳥，鳥翅種種寶色莊嚴，不唯金故。此有四生，化、胎、卵、濕，隨力能食四生諸龍。舉此攝餘一切諸鳥。七緊捺洛，此云歌神，能唱歌詠，與健達縛同事諸天，天須之時更互來去。八莫呼洛伽，此云大腹，大蟒田蛟之流，舉此攝餘腹行之類。上標八部雖攝威靈，此方尊高，猶未別列，故次第二列釋梵等。釋謂帝釋。梵謂梵王。護世者能護世間四洲人故，即四天王。東方天王名持國，南方天王名增長，西方天王名醜目，北方天王名多聞。《瑜伽》說，住妙高山腹第四層級。《俱舍》說，住初金山頂。此乃兩部，不相違也。復云等者，等餘空居，欲界四天、色界天等。

Commentary: Below this is the third [part], the eight classes of numinous beings. Within it there are three [sections]: first, explaining the assembly of the eight classes; next, explaining Śakra, Brahmā, and the others; and finally, explaining their assembling and being seated. These eight classes of beings possess great spiritual utility, and are thus called those of 'great majesty and power.' As for the eight classes: First are the devas; all realms of the heavens are collectively named 'devas.' Second are the nāgas; they originally dwell in the great ocean and are capable of raising clouds and rain. Third are the yakṣas; here this translates as 'fierce and wicked,' and also as 'valiant and strong'; they travel through the empty sky and encompass the terrestrial classes of rākṣasas. As for the rākṣasas, here this translates as 'fearsome'; they all eat raw flesh and blood, possess tails and fangs, their heads look like blazing fire, and their hands and feet have claws. Fourth are the gandharvas; here this is called 'seeking scent'; in the Western regions, unattached minstrels are called gandharvas. They do not engage in productive livelihoods, but seek out the scent of food and play music to beg [for alms]; hence they are called 'scent-seekers.' Now, these spirits and ghosts are constantly able to play music and consume various fragrances; therefore they are named gandharvas. The Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa states: 'They are heavenly minstrel spirits who constantly follow the gods. Their minds are gentle and pliant, and their merit is less than that of the devas.' Mentioning this chief [class] encompasses the intermediate existence (antarābhava) and the like, all within it. Fifth are the asuras; here this is called 'non-gods.' The Buddhabhūmi-śāstra states that they are subsumed under the destiny of devas; their conduct is mostly deceitful and flattery, and they lack the true conduct of devas, so they are named 'non-gods.' Just as a human with evil conduct is called a 'non-human,' they are in fact of the destiny of gods. The Sarvāstivāda school states that they belong to the destiny of ghosts (pretas). The Saddharmasmṛtyupasthāna-sūtra states that they pertain to both ghosts and animals, since the Asura King Rāhu is a child of a lion, and is therefore an animal. In the gāthā-sūtras, it is stated that they are subsumed under the three destinies of gods, ghosts, and animals. Now, relying on the Mahāyāna, they are said to belong solely to the destiny of gods. Their principal ruler dwells under the great ocean to the north of Mount Meru, while the rest have unfixed abodes. Sixth are the garuḍas; the old translation was 'golden-winged bird,' but the present translation is 'wondrous-winged bird,' because their wings are adorned with various gem-like colors and are not solely golden. These have four types of birth: transformation-born, womb-born, egg-born, and moisture-born; according to their strength, they can consume the various nāgas of the four births. Mentioning this encompasses all other birds. Seventh are the kiṃnaras; here this is called 'song spirits'; they are able to sing songs and intone verses, serving the gods together with the gandharvas; when the gods require them, they alternate coming and going. Eighth are the mahoragas; here this is called 'great belly,' the class of large pythons and field-crocodiles; mentioning this encompasses the remaining belly-crawling classes. Although the designation of the eight classes above encompasses the numinous beings, the venerable and lofty ones of this realm have not yet been listed separately, so next, in the second [section], Śakra, Brahmā, and the others are listed. 'Śakra' refers to Lord Śakra. 'Brahmā' refers to the Brahmā King. The 'World Protectors' are so called because they can protect the humans of the four continents in the world; that is, the Four Heavenly Kings. The Heavenly King of the East is named Dhṛtarāṣṭra; the Heavenly King of the South is named Virūḍhaka; the Heavenly King of the West is named Virūpākṣa; the Heavenly King of the North is named Vaiśravaṇa. The Yogācārabhūmi states that they dwell on the fourth terrace of the slopes of Mount Meru. The Kośa states that they dwell on the summit of the first golden mountain. These are two different schools, and are not mutually contradictory. Again, the word 'and others' encompasses the remaining sky-dwelling [gods], the four heavens of the desire realm, the heavens of the form realm, and so forth.